Maiden success for Eamon and Mark at challenging Tyrella

Maiden success for Eamon and Mark at challenging Tyrella

9 March 2016

SATURDAY’S East Down Foxhounds meeting went ahead as planed at Tyrella in what were much better conditions than at the previous meeting in February.

The meeting proved to be a notable one for Ballynahinch owner/trainer Eamon McCann and Poratadown jockey Mark McCrory as they both recorded their first successes in the sport.

Eamon, who rode as an amateur and who was the farrier at the meeting, saddled Whinstone Dee, a horse he hunts with the East Down club, in the Winners’ Confined Hunt race.

The race was sponsored by William McDowell, better known as the man at the entrance to the meeting, in memory of his late father Tom from Seaforde and Strangford trainer Stephen Magee, whose later father Joe loved to win this race.

Ridden by Banbridge farrier Mark O’Hare, Whinstone Dee was always up with the pace and kept on well to beat the 2014 winner News for Pascal, trained by Stephen Magee, with Market Road in Brian Hamilton’s colours third under Declan Lavery, his only ride of the day. 

Eamon, who keeps the horse as a hobby, is grateful to Katesbridge trainer Gerry Cosgrove for the use of his gallops. This was Mark O’Hare’s third winner of the day and his 12th of the season which keeps him six ahead of Noel McParlan and Bon O’Neill.

Mark’s first winner of the day came in the Armstrong Auctions Five to Six Year-Old Mares Maiden race. He was always well up with the pace on Isn’t She Lovely in the colours of Scarva owner Pauline Whitten, for whom this was a first success and kept on well to win from Alkajazz, ridden by Ben Crawford, who felt he had the leader covered, but was four lengths adrift at the post. 

Muchadoaboutnothing, sent from Tipperary by Tom Hogan, finished third under Jamie Codd.

The winner is in the care of Gerry Cosgrove, who is having a great run  at present. In fact, Gerry and Mark had luck on their side for their second success of the day which came in the Lagan Construction Group Three Winner race.

Shake it Up, with Jamie Codd in the saddle, looked sure to win when clear at the final fence, but the combination crashed out leaving Mark to go on and repeat his success on Clondan Frisby in the colours of Ken and Jennifer Stitt and Dr Sam Campbell. Kinley finished second with the ill-fated Kerrib Castle and Michael McConville third.

Best finish of the day came in the maiden race for novice riders with four in close contention as they raced to the final fence.

Lisnagreggan had the advantage and stayed on well to hold off Sarsfield Legend, running for the first time in 462 days and Pointview Gale, a third ride for young Ross McLeigh.

For Mark McCrory, who normally rode for CAFRE (Enniskillen) Racing Club, it was his first outside ride and his initial mount of the season. The 21 year-old is now working at Glenbrook Stud in Derry.

Lisnagreggan, running for the 10th time for Randalstown’s William Gault, had been pulled up or fallen in all bar one of his previous outings.

Neil Gault, who normally rides the horse, told me post race that he was due to ride Archview Sunshine in the race, but it proved to be lame and a non-runner. So, it’s all ill wind that dosen’t blow somebody good.

The Albert Bartlett Five to Six 6 Year-Old Geldings Maiden saw Kilnakin provide Ben Crawford with his fifth winner of the season when winning in good style from newcomer Pinch of Ginger, owned and trained by former amateur Norman Geraghty ,a brother of top jockey Barry Geraghty.

A pile-up at the third last in the day’s opening race, the Wilson Dennison Four Year-Old race, saw only three pass the judge. Victory went to Newtown Craig, trained in Wexford by Colin Bowe and ridden by his stable jockey Bon O’Neill, second was the sponsor’s Ballyward with the Two Amigos third.

Best turned out in all races was courtesy of Glencarn stables. Acting stewards were David Aiken, Brian Polly and John McCoy. Kirkistown will host Saturday’s North Down meeting. 

Last Wednesday’s abandoned meeting at Downpatrick will be replaced by a new fixture on Wednesday, March 30, five days after the Ulster National meeting.